After being reborn, I make up my mind to stop chasing after my husband and daughter

Chapter 24

Wendy made me a nutritious breakfast. I was halfway through my meal when Yvonne came bounding in. “Mom, you’re not going to work today,” she declared. “You have to stay home and play with me.”

I looked at her while spooning my gruel. “From now on, I will be going back to work,” I said. “But we’ll sign you up for some fun classes–you’ll have teachers and classmates to keep you company.”

Yvonne’s face paled at the mention of classes. In an instant, she was pointing at me, her voice rising to a wail. “I don’t want classes. You’re mean. I hate you. I’m telling Grandma.” She turned and ran toward the door to find her grandmother.

“Come back,” I commanded, my voice icy. “Go ahead–try telling on me.”

Yvonne’s face was still wet with crocodile tears. She turned to look at me, her eyes wide–almost like she was seeing me for the first time. And for just a second, I caught a flicker of fear.

of lemon water, and fixed her with a cold stare. “Yvonne, I’m your mother. I brought you into this world.

mother, go ask your father. I won’t stand in your

She blinked, getting the message quickly. After a pause, she inched closer, clutching my arm. “Mom, I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

daughter–so clever and perceptive. It hurt to remember how, in my previous life, she’d still been taking Tracy’s side even when

my own worst enemy, dragging everyone

and I didn’t know how to fix it. All I wanted was to raise a child who might one

easy on our kids. It encouraged us to offer support rather

these new ideas and how we were raised, it became exhausting

work soon.” Rubbing my temples, I nudged Yvonne toward her